How to Set up a Plan for Transitioning Your Senior Out of the Driver’s Seat

At some point, you and your senior may have to have the difficult conversation about her driving. Perhaps she’s not physically able to drive any longer or her decision-making skills are suffering, but driving is just not a good idea. Having a transition plan will help you both to manage this difficult time.

Look for Transportation Alternatives

Having transportation alternatives can help to soothe your senior’s fears about being stuck at home. In fact, much of the resistance about giving up driving can center around these fears. Hiring elderly care providers to drive for your senior allows you to feel more secure about her safety while still enabling your aging adult to go wherever she needs and wants to go.

Make Those Alternatives Easy to Use

If the alternatives to driving are complicated and difficult to use, they’re going to have a negative connotation for your aging adult. Make these transportation alternatives as easy to use as possible so that they’re an attractive option. If family members are pitching in, for example, make a schedule that is simple for your senior to access. Having elder care providers on site means that they’re always ready to go.

Keep in Mind This Isn’t Easy for Her

Your senior may have good days and bad days when it comes to dealing with this transition. It is not easy for your elderly family member to suddenly move from a place of independence to being dependent on others in order to get where she needs to go.

Set Some Boundaries

If your senior is still able to drive sometimes, set some very clear boundaries as to what those conditions are. For example, if she’s having trouble driving at night, then any nighttime driving is off the table. If weather conditions or traffic issues pose problems, then those need to have their own alternatives.

Keep the Conversations Loving and Open

When you and your senior do talk about driving and transitioning from being a driver to being a passenger, keep the conversation as open and loving as possible. Emotions may run high, but the more honest you can keep the conversation, the better for both of you.

Many elderly adults find that giving up driving isn’t as painful as they worried it would be. Hopefully a smooth transition phase can help your senior have a positive experience.

IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING ELDERLY CARE IN WEDDINGTON, NC, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE OF CHARLOTTE. (704) 246-5806.